Hurricanes add U.S. squad to schedule

Holland College football team to hit the road for game in Vermont in November

Holland College Hurricanes

The Holland College Hurricanes’ inaugural game in the U.S.-based National Club Football Association (NCFA) will be on the road against the University of Vermont Catamounts in November.

“We are excited to host Holland College in their first NCFA game,” said Catamounts president Jack Leclerc.

“It is going to be interesting to see how things will be different between our two teams. It will be a unique scene as teams from two different parts of the world compete in the universal sport of football."

The game will take place at the South Burlington High School Stadium in Vermont on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m.

The Catamounts have been one of the top-ranked NCFA programs the past two seasons and ended last year ranked fourth in the coaches’ poll.

The NCFA includes collegiate club teams from across the United States organized into five conferences, plus independents like Holland College.

The Hurricanes open the Atlantic Football League regular season on the road against the UNB Saint John Seawolves on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The club’s home opener will take place at UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m., when the ’Canes host the defending league champions UNB Fredericton Red Bombers.

The semifinals will be played on Oct. 26, with the two winners advancing to the championship on

Nov. 2. Hosting rights for playoff games are determined by final regular season standings.

Hurricanes Football Club president Mike O’Grady said he anticipates larger crowds at home games this year.

“As followers of all Holland College teams now realize, we take an ‘all-in’ approach here. This is our fourth season in the AFL, and every year we are determined to build on the resurgence of football on P.E.I.,” he said. “We’ll have a great group of recruits to join our returning players, and we have our sights set on regaining the championship title and then taking a shot at the Catamounts in Vermont.”